Over the course of the last year or two, mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera systems have gone from being interesting portents of things to come to distinctly mainstream products. And with the likes of the Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Samsung all building up their systems into very credible alternatives to DSLR outfits, Nikon has now decided the time has come to show its hand. The result is the 'Nikon 1' system, initially two cameras and four lenses (plus a smattering of accessories) built around a new sensor format that the company calls 'CX'. At 13.2 x 8.8mm in size, the 1 system's brand-new Nikon-designed CMOS sensor is about a third of the area of the DX sensor used in the company's mainstream SLRs.

Nikon's Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager, R&D Department, Development HQ, says there were three factors in choosing the sensor size: image quality, responsiveness and ease of use (specifically in terms of portability). He says the sensor was both designed and engineered by Nikon and stressed it is 'not built by Sony.'

Initial attention has focused on the relatively small size of this sensor compared to other mirrorless systems, and this is a pity as it risks overlooking the impressive technology Nikon has designed into it. Not only is it capable of extraordinary shooting speeds (full resolution images can be captured at an astonishing 60 frames per second), it also incorporates a 'Hybrid' autofocus system that employs both Phase and Contrast Detection focus methods. The result is, according to Nikon, the fastest autofocus of any camera the company has ever made - including its professional flagship DSLR, the D3S. Not only that, the 1 system cameras can shoot at 10 frames per second while maintaining focus on a moving subject.

The system can choose from 135 points when utilizing contrast-detection AF and 73 when using phase-detection AF, and will automatically select what it thinks is the most appropriate method.

We have seen on-sensor phase-detection systems before but Suzuki says the Nikon 1's system is 'much more advanced than the Fuji sensor.' Indeed, he says the system is the fastest of any Nikon camera 'in terms of speed and responsiveness.'

The camera's shooting speed is supported by an all-new image processor, branded as EXPEED 3. This allows the camera to achieve a remarkable data throughput of 600 MP/sec, which Nikon claims is the 'fastest in the world'. A slide at the press launch event graphically made this point - in terms of sheer data processing speed, the Nikon 1 system cameras outpace the D3S by a considerable margin.

A slide from Nikon UK's launch presentation, illustrating the high-speed data throughput of the 1 system compared to other cameras on the market, including Nikon's own flagship D3X.

This being 2011, the sensor also has serious video capabilities. It's capable of recording Full HD movies (1920 x 1080 resolution) at 60i or 30p, and full-resolution stills can be captured at a press of the shutter button without interrupting recording. This is the first camera we can think of that gives the user the choice of how the video output is packaged (60i and 30p are essentially the same data presented differently), depending on whether you want to just view the footage or edit it. The phase-detection AF system means the cameras can also track a moving subject during video shooting. All-in-all the 1 system represents an impressive convergance of stills and video capabilities into a single camera.

Who's it for?

Perhaps the most important point to understand about the 1 system is the type of customer Nikon is aiming for. It's most certainly not designed as a second camera for SLR users, but rather as an entirely different type of system that users intimidated by the size and perceived complexity of SLRs can upgrade to when they outgrow their compacts. Nikon says that its customer surveys worldwide reveal that such users value small size, ease of use, and operational speed as much as outright image quality - and the 1 system aims to strike a specific balance between these demands.

The DSLR market is still growing, says Suzuki, but equally the mirrorless market it growing as well. 'We learned from our mirrorless competitors' he says, about how to distinguish the '1' system from F-mount. He considers the Nikon 1 to be different from the existing offerings, instead describing it as 'a new class of camera.'

In fact, the company has even coined a new acronym to match: A-CIL, for 'Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lenses'. We're not sure quite how far this idea holds up in reality, but the point is clear. The 1 system is supposed to sit between compact cameras and SLRs, and not directly compete with either. And, if the company's market research is correct, there's every chance this market sector's expectations are very different from those of the enthusiast photographers who are currently scratching their heads and expressing their dissatisfaction about the new product.

This targeting, plus the sensor's high speed capabilities, results in a very different look to the camera's interface, exemplified by its mode dial. Gone are the scene and PASM modes familiar to SLR users (although these can still be selected through the menu), replaced by four positions which represent different applications of high speed stills and movie recording. The 'Motion Snapshot' mode combines a slow-motion movie with a simultaneously-recorded still image, while the 'Smart Photo Selector' mode takes 20 full-resolution images from a single shutter-button press (including some captured before the button is fully depressed), then analyses them,saving what it judges to be the best five (even recommending the very best of the bunch). There's just a single position to cover all aspects of conventional stills shooting, plus one more for movies.

Nikon 1 V1 vs J1 - What's the difference?

The two cameras Nikon has initially launched are very similar in size, and share the same sensor and many key specifications. But dig a little deeper and there are a fair few differences between them, helping underline the different types of users Nikon is hoping to reach:

V1 has a built-in high resolution electronic viewfinder

J1 has built-in pop-up flash, while V1 has an accessory port in place of the pop-up flash, initially compatible with a tiny slide-on flash unit and GPS device, but with more accessories proposed to follow.

V1 has higher resolution LCD (921,000 dots, rather than the 460,000 on the J1)

J1 has only an electronic shutter, whereas the V1 has a mechanical shutter too. In principle this should afford better image quality to the V1 under certain conditions. It also helps the V1 achieve a flash sync speed of 1/250th seconds, rather than the J1's 1/60th limit.

Body materials are different - V1 is an aluminium/magnesium alloy, J1 is a simpler aluminium alloy

Mr Suzuki explains that both models are aimed at compact camera upgraders, with the difference being down to shooting style. The J is aimed at users who want a compact camera experience (LCD only), while the V is aimed at the higher-level user - a delineation Nikon has made through the addition of the EVF. This also explains the single control dial on the J; making the operation less complex.

For now, the company will focus on compact camera users as the target for its mirrorless cameras. Luxury ILCs (such as Sony's NEX-7) represent a very small niche. Nikon, he says sees 'much greater potential' at the lower end of the market.

Comments

I would definitely bet on the success of the plan, given the specs and the targeted audience. The point is, I was hoping to extend my nikon system with an extremely compact body to eventually screw my Nikon lenses and sb600 on just as many m4/3 users happily do by keeping an Oly pen as an extra body in addition to a dslr. It lools like we may have to forget about it, then :-/

uhmm not enough for me. I like taking shots indoor bouncing the light of a manual flash on top of the Pana LX3 but it's not dslr level, lots of details but not as much dynamic range; besides, no ttl flash. I wanted a D7000 sensor and a Nikon hot shoe in a small body, otherwise I may as well get a Sony I guess

"it also incorporates a 'Hybrid' autofocus system that employs both Phase and Contrast Detection focus methods. The result is, according to Nikon, the fastest autofocus of any camera the company has ever made - including its professional flagship DSLR, the D3S."

This means Nikon has the capability to build DX and FX mirrorless cameras with hybrid AF system that can autofocus faster than D3s, but Nikon somehow chose a sensor with 2.7x crop factor. Interesting........

Three reasons why this new AF system can be faster than the flagship D3s:. Smaller sensor has larger depth of field. So the AF doesn't need to work as hard.. Smaller sensor allows smaller lens elements, which can be moved quicker.. The new EXPEED 3 processor is super fast. No doubt it will be used on many other Nikon cameras.

yes, I'm very interested in the implications of the auto focus system, processor speed, 60fps, and motion capture. Gives me high hopes that we will be seeing some cool things when the big boy cameras arive

I think seeing this as the end of the road may be wrong. It makes for a small, consumer-driven mirrorless solution. DX and even full-frame mirrorless will probably come next, with their bigger lenses. It remains to be seen how small CX can actually get.

IMO this represents Nikon's initial move into the mirrorless future. It currently doesn't make sense to bring out a competitor to its DSLRs because they continue to be very profitable. However, I think it is likely that much of the technology developed for these cameras can be ported into a DSLR replacement when Nikon feels that it makes sense financially.

"It currently doesn't make sense to bring out a competitor to its DSLRs because they continue to be very profitable."

That's an example of grossly misguided common wisdom. They should release the best possible product. If it cannibalizes the sales of your other product, well, be happy that it wasn't a competitor who did it!

As an example of a company who knows not to think this way, Apple has repeatedly released products that cannibalize the sales of older ones: iPhone took a chunk of iPod sales; iPad and Macbook Air also cannibalize Macbook sales.

OK, I appreciate the article because the Nikon's rational for the system makes more sense now. Middle of the road product and services, although slight profit margins can mean the difference in having the cash reserves to survive in rough patches of years and or decades.

I am late in my decision process but if I was not I would be expending too much time on following this system. I am going to dismiss this offering entirely and that is fine as it is not for folks like me.

I was leaning toward them for a while. But if they don't have the Canon color accuracy nor an exclusive in quality at an interesting price point; this kind of roll out is frankly a bit irritating.

Nikon know their bottom line, but they are certainly moving further and further away from me.

I suspected this was brought forward as a hurry to beat a Canon announcement. With pros taking such a cool view, Canon could cancel those effort, no hurry now.

They better release a normal-ish prime fast, because a lot of people buying something like this want to be able to photograph their kids in available light. That is something Panasonic understood when they released the 20mm f/1.7. Nikon needs to release a 15mm or 18mm f/1.8 or faster lens.

To me the big advantage of the smaller sensor should be the possibility of very compact fast zooms. But I guess I'm not in their target market :-p

The 60 frames per second and the best shot selection is genius. Just like the face recognition, this will change the way most people take pictures, and truly merges video and still images in a way the old fashioned photographers have not thought of yet.

I think what people are overlooking is that Nikon will now have to struggle to gain market-share against Micro 4/3 and Sony (who is winning in Japan at least). Had Nikon embraced M4/3 it could have owned the entire marketplace. It could have had a better camera and lenses and been selling them over a much wider base of cameras. Also, supporting M4/3 would have dealt a body-blow to Sony as they would be off all on their own.

In an effort to own everything and not cannibalize their DSLR sales, Nikon has marginalized their own efforts.

Peter, you hit the nail right on the head. M4/3 is the ideal lens/sensor size compromise for OK low light, bokeh, etc especially with the fast Panasonic 20mm F1.7. Despite slower AF and burst mode (do you really need it?) the E-PM1/PL3 (has IBIS) with that lens is still hard to beat.

Panny's new 25mm f1.4 focuses much faster then the old 20mm f1.7. They have both been given very good reviews and despite the bigger senor they are no bigger then these Nikon lenses for the smaller sensor??? I expected little lenses with this sensor.

this entire theory/business model is predicated on the existence of this whole untapped market of compact users who want to migrate up to interchangeable lenses and high-end performance... I would have thought most compact users would migrate to the newer iteration of the previous compact cam they had not to an entirely different paradigm-shifting class of camera.

Nikon will have an equally tough road ahead convincing the compact users and the advanced users, I suspect the entire user base is scratching their heads on this, including their target audience, not just the enthusiastic dpreview community

we'll see, this could be the next ipod of compact cameras in 5 years...

Honestly, as many have mentioned, the trip up for most seems to be the 2.7x crop on the smallish sensor. Of course, we don't get stellar results out of the 24MP NEX cams IMHO - not for $1400 anyway - and the noise levels on virtually all Panasonic m4/3s is terrible. I had an E-PL2 and it was ok, but struggled under certain conditions as well.

Long story short, if the images are strong off the little thing, then no one will care what the dimensions are. If noise is well controlled, it'll be even stronger.

The image quality would have to be phenomenal to compete. With such large lenses, a relatively big body combined with a small sensor, and a much higher price tag, most advanced users are going to expect some thin DOF capabilities as well. Nikon better come out with some really, really fast sub f1 lenses and this thing better have some really outstanding image quality or it will fail next to m4/3rds. For camera that hopes to be a step up from compacts for users intimidated by DSLR's this camera is priced quite high. Especially with so many cheaper more established options out there. Nikon should have went M4/3 and they would have become a dominant force.

Ha. I totally agree on several points. DOF is gonna be an issue for sure. But apparently it's aimed at users that might not know any different! You're also right about price. It must be in the fancy tech cause it's high for a smaller sensor camera. The other problem is that audience is typically pixel driven and 10 MP just sounds low! If I'm getting the marketing campaign right they are after lower end consumers who don't mind spending more on an ICL unit with a bigger sensor than a PAS, but smaller than less expensive offerings from established mirrorless vendors. They better hope that AF system and high-speed shooting are legit or it'll be a long up-hill battle for Nikon.

I think the J1 is more interesting than the V1... fits more the target market IMO and the rice is more reasonable. Also it's the more compact of the two. I can't wait to read the official review. Now... when is leica bringing out a M compatible mirror less cam? :-)

I like the idea - I think the execution with motorized everything is not so great.The thing I see missing is the physical control of zoom and focus that an ILC should have - otherwise it's a P&SILC - and a very good one at that. 2 lenses and 27-270mm equivalent isn't bad but where is the portrait prime and Macro lens?A separate flash battery would have made it larger and reduced cycle times. No worries - 3rd party solutions will certainly crop up.Price it just above G12 and it should have some takers although looking at it, I might just think Leica should do this and improve on it.cb

It's just the j1 that comes in different colours, and that's definitely designed for P&S upgraders. I have no problem with Nikon making a consumer camera. I don't understand who they think is going to buy the v1 though. Maybe people who just want the most expensive one?

Im not sure i understand the benefit to coming out with a smaller (15.9 mm diag.) proprietary sensor system instead of adopting a standard like MFT or even DX. I guess they were worried about it stealing sales from their larger offerings? This could have been a great addition to the MFT family, why Nikon, WHY?

I just spent a few minutes trying to find the details of the MFT standard, but I'm not completely convinced Nikon could have built some of the features of the Nikon 1 series into a MFT camera. They still would need to source a custom sensor even if they were able to adapt the hybrid focus system (to date, no other mirrorless camera can use phase detection AF without a big adapter).

Could the little touches, like the camera turning on when you depress the locking button the zooms, work in MFT. On the Engadget video posted last night, the Nikon rep emphasized that the sensor, while unique, is just part of the whole package of the new system. I think dpreview's initial hands on reinforces this claim.

Given Nikon's apparent target market for these cameras, I'm not sure a larger sensor or established system would have fit in with their apparent goals.

The way I look at it, every generation of sensor competes with the larger sensor from the previous generation anyway.With Nikon's larger market share, splitting r&d over higher sales volumes leads to greater profitability.Next, factor in that smaller sensors are cheaper and you have a small gamble.Looking at the language used, this camera seems to be for bloggers that want to go to the next level with a product that is designed specifically for their needs. Blog, digital camera, video uploads are the postcards of today used in higher volumes than ever before.Ultimate blogger tool? surely.

Don't get a x100, very bad focus probs, everyone is going on about sensor size and such , but why would nikon make a replacement for a dslr??? 10 fps with auto focus!! Great for taking pics of the kids playing, and most mums would use it over a slr

Latest in-depth reviews

The Nikon Z6 may not offer the incredible resolution of its sibling, the Z7, but its 24MP resolution is more than enough for most people, and the money saved can buy a lot of glass. Find out what's new and notable about the Z6 in our First Impressions Review.

Many cameras today include built-in image stabilization systems, but when it comes to video that's still no substitute for a proper camera stabilization rig. The Ronin-S aims to solve that problem for DSLR and mirrorless camera users, and we think DJI has delivered on that promise.

The SiOnyx Aurora is a compact camera designed to shoot stills and video in color under low light conditions, so we put it to the test under the northern lights and against a Nikon D5. It may not be a replacement for a DSLR, but it can complement one well for some uses.

At its core, the Scanza is an easy-to-use multi-format film scanner. It offers a quick and easy way to scan your film negatives and slides into JPEGs, but costs a lot more than similar products without a Kodak label.

Latest buying guides

If you're looking for a high-quality camera, you don't need to spend a ton of cash, nor do you need to buy the latest and greatest new product on the market. In our latest buying guide we've selected some cameras that while they're a bit older, still offer a lot of bang for the buck.

What's the best camera for under $500? These entry level cameras should be easy to use, offer good image quality and easily connect with a smartphone for sharing. In this buying guide we've rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing less than $500 and recommended the best.

Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. We've selected our favorite lenses for Sony mirrorlses cameras in several categories to make your decisions easier.

Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. We've selected our favorite lenses for Canon DSLRs in several categories to make your decisions easier.

For the past few weeks, our readers have been voting on their favorite photographic gear released in the past year in a wide range of categories. Now that the first round of voting is over, it's time to pick the best overall product of 2018.

Sony had the full-frame mirrorless market to itself for nearly five years, but it's no longer alone – the Nikon Z6 and Canon EOS R have both arrived priced to compete with the a7 III. We take a head to head to head look at these three cameras.

As if it needed one, the triple-camera smartphone might really be the final nail in the compact camera's coffin. DPR contributor Lars Rehm brought the LG V40 on a hiking trip recently and found it to be a huge leap forward in terms of creative freedom.

Renowned UK-based landscape photographer Nigel Danson has been using DSLRs for years. In this video, created exclusively for DPReview, Nigel discusses his experience using the Nikon Z7 and why he's excited about mirrorless cameras. (Spoiler... beautiful scenery ahead.)

Chinese optical manufacturer Kipon has added the Nikon Z and Canon R mounts to its range of adapters made to attach medium format lenses from Hasselblad, Mamiya, Pentax and others to full frame cameras.